A.C. No. 13496 - Rojas vs. Quiambao

Complainant Atty. Merriam Fe G. Rojas and respondent Atty. Lovejoy B. Quiambao are spouses, members of the Protestant faith, married on March 20, 2005, before a Baptist Church reverend in Cebu City.
They shared a law firm attached to their conjugal home, with no children. Complainant managed the law firm and ran a small store business alongside, supplementing family income.

In October 2016, the complainant learned from a house helper, AAA, that respondent sexually harassed her since August 2016, including inappropriate touching, showing pornographic materials, offering teaching on sexual intercourse, and indecent proposals.
The respondent admitted to being addicted to pornography, sought psychiatric help but continued to be investigated by complainant.
Complainant discovered at least 13 other women, including two minors, who were sexually abused by respondent while employed as helpers, secretaries, or storekeepers.
Several former employees executed Judicial Affidavits detailing incidents including forced alcohol consumption leading to rape, repeated sexual advances, and inappropriate display of pornography by respondent.

Complainant filed a petition for protection orders which was granted by the RTC Butuan, issuing a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) on February 28, 2017.
The PPO directed respondent to seek professional counseling for sex offender treatment.
Complainant filed and settled a petition for Legal Separation in RTC Cabadbaran, approved in March 2018.

Respondent admitted exposure of pornographic materials to certain employees and extramarital sexual relations with at least two women, BBB and CCC, denying forcible acts but affirming consensual relations.
He denied allegations from other employees, asserting voluntariness or innocent interactions.
Respondent sought leniency and cited psychiatric and spiritual counseling efforts.
A motion for reconsideration was filed by respondent after IBP’s recommendation for disbarment, arguing his subsequent marriage to HHH, with whom he had two children.

IBP-CBD found respondent guilty of Grossly Immoral Conduct and recommended disbarment.
The IBP Board of Governors approved this recommendation.
Respondent challenged the penalty based on his marriage to HHH after legal separation but before annulment.
The Supreme Court took jurisdiction and evaluated the case under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

Whether respondent Atty. Lovejoy B. Quiambao should be held administratively liable for grossly immoral conduct for his extramarital affairs, sexual harassment, bigamous marriage, and related acts.